It was a new day and Esme was getting better at learning to be a ninja, she had even already started on the course to learn spinjitsue.
"Argh, ugh why can't I get it?" She groaned in pain, after falling off the dummy wheel.
"Hey, it takes a while and a lot of practice." Kai helps her up.
"Yeah, Sensei did not make this easy." Jay shrugs.
"I guess it's not supposed to be." Esme sighed.
"How about a break. You look like you're limping after that last fall." Cole looked worried.
"I guess I fell a bit too hard." Esme flinched as she tried to see her injury, it was just bruised but it was kind of big.
Zane came up and said "You should have it iced, and to be safe I recommend not walking too much." Zane uses his powers to make a sort of ice bandage on her ankle and Esme sighs.
"Thanks Zane that feels much better." Esme relaxes.
"It is no problem." Zane smiles.
Kai and Jay smirked at the two's interaction but Cole….Cole for some reason felt his stomach drop. What was up with that? But shook it off as the others continued training.
Meanwhile….
Garmadon was furious as he walked about the dessert. The snakes had failed to capture the green ninja while she and her protectors where incapacitated by venom!
"Those incompetent fools! They can't even handle loopy ninja. If only I had smarter minions, then I wouldn't have these problems. I could find a way to truly defeat them. But what is smart and clever enough to….?"
Then he saw it, a dessert fox, sneaking about and then pouncing on an unsuspecting mouse.
"That's it." He smirked "Megaweopon. I wish to have a minion, one who is as clever and as smart as a fox and loyal to only me!"
At that the sand began to shift and in front of Garmadon the sand took shape of a man in a long coat, with sandy fox ears, and tail, and a smirk on his face. Once complete he became solid and fleshy.
"Yes, my master." The man bowed and Garmadon smirked and said "Oh this is going to be good. What's your name?"
"You made me, only fair you give me one." Smirked the man.
"I suppose that's true. I shall call you Sly, for you'll need to be as cunning as possible to defeat the ninja and find their weaknesses." Garmadon rubbed the weapon.
"If that is what you wish." Sly nods.
"Good, the ninja live….." And so Garmadon gave Sly the information he needed, the fox's eyes gleaming with every bit of information he got.
"Report back to me when you are finished, with this we can make a plan to finally defeat them." Garmadon smirked.
"Of course master." Sly bowed and then rushed off.
Garmadon chuckled before heading back to the snake city. Let's see how you ninja handle this.
Back at the bounty….
Jay was nervous as he came up to Nya who was working on a few projects in the lower levels of the bounty.
"Hey Nya, how's it going?" Jay said a bit stuttering.
"Nothing much, just trying to fix up the bounties security system. You know help us detect enemy presence better. Don't want a repeat with Pythor." Nya sighs.
"Yeah, that was bad. But I'm confident you'll fix that." Jay smiles.
"Thanks, I just can't seem to think of how to better work the sensors." Nya huffs.
"Well maybe you need a break. How about going out to see a movie. I got tickets." Jay brought them up smiling.
"Really, what movie?" Nya looked on smiling back.
"The new star fare movie. I hear it's going to be really epic!" Jay gets excited.
"Star fare….no offence Jay, but I'm really not all into those movies. Pluss I should really be working on this problem." Nya frowned.
"Oh, that's okay. I can always stay here and help." Jay tries to come up, but Nya puts a hand on his arm to stop him.
"No you should go to the movies, don't waste your money. I'm sure one of the others would like to go." Nya smiles and got back to work.
"Well if you say so." Jay felt disappointed, he really wanted to go with Nya but he guessed he could go with someone else.
'Let's see, who could I take? Lloyd would love this but he's out with Sensei for the day getting more weird teas. Kai and Cole hate star fare, and Zane doesn't know a thing about it. That just leaves….' Jay smiled as he jumped at this and ran to the common room to see the others playing a video game.
"No careful….See I told you, you can't fight it off yourself." Esme sighed.
"Okay I get it no matter how strong my wolf is I can't take on a bull elk. Lesson learned." Cole sighed.
"You guys playing wolfsim." Jay smiled.
"Yeah, we're just trying to do some hunting right now, but Cole lost us our meal." Kai rolled his eyes.
"I'm sorry okay. We still have enough energy for a smaller one." Cole smiles.
"The smaller ones can easily outrun us, and we will use up all our energy." Zane reminds.
"Not unless we go for a sick one, those can't run and it will be easier to take it down. As long as we stay down wind." Esme glared at Kai.
"I got it, fallow the plan." Kai put his arms up.
"Before you all start, I need to ask Esme something." Jay smiles.
The guys looked confused but Esme askes "Sure what's up?"
"I scored two tickets to the newest star fare movie!" Jay exclaimed.
"Sweet!" Esme jumped but then realized "What about Nya?"
"Yeah, what about Nya?" Kai glared.
"She said she doesn't like star fare." Jay looked down saddened.
"Why not take Lloyd." Cole seemed confused and a bit annoyed.
"He's out with Sensie Wu all day remember?" Jay reminded.
"That is true, and they will not be back till the next day." Zane puts in.
"Well if that's okay, sure I'd love to go. I heard this one's supposed to be epic!" Esme jumped.
"I know right, I heard the same thing!" Jay got excited once more.
"Just let me get ready. I don't want to go in my sweats." At that Esme left.
Once gone the others looked at Jay confused "What?" He said with a raised brow.
"You sure that's a good idea, won't Nya get upset." Kai frowned.
"Why? She told me to bring someone else." Jay shrugs.
"I think she meant one of us or Lloyd." Kai sighed.
"Yeah and why Esme anyway? Isn't this like taking her out on a date." Cole glared.
"What! No….Seriously you guys don't believe that there are platonic friendship with boys and girls?" Jay crossed his arms.
"That is true. It does tend to happen, and we are friends with Nya." Zane reminds.
"That's because Kai is her brother and Jay basically called dibs. And the bro code states you don't take your friends girl." Cole frowns.
"Bro code?" Zane looks confused.
"We'll explain it later. But Jay you sure Nya won't get upset?" Kai looks on worried.
"Why, it's not like I see Esme that why, she's like a…Sister." Jay finally jumps.
"That would make sense as we all do see each other as brothers." Zane nods, but for some reason the idea of Jay and Esme going out alone made him feel unpleasant.
"Sister….Yeah that describes the two of you pretty well. If I didn't know better, I say you two were related." Kai chuckles.
"Really?" Jay looks surprised.
"Oh yeah they do tend to act sort of alike." Cole rubs his chin.
"You mean how they both tend to get overexcited, talk on for longs amounts of time, and have an addiction to certain pop culture activities. I suppose since not by looks then by their personalities they would seem to be almost like twins." Zane explains.
"See, she's my bud. No romantic interest going on." Jay smiles crossing his arms.
At that the others nod, satisfied to hear this. I mean Jay was ga ga for Nya. No other girl would probably be able to replace her in his heart.
With Esme….
Esme had entered her room to find Nya covered in black "What happen?" Esme looked on surprised.
"Just a malfunction on testing out the security system." Nya wiped her face and then noticed the ticket in Esme's hand.
"Are you going to the movies?" Nay looks curios.
"Oh yeah, Jay told me how you weren't interested in going and since the others aren't into star fare either he invited me." Esme said excited as she went to find some cloths for the theater.
"Really, and you said yes?" Nya frowned.
"Yeah why? Everyone else said no and I heard this movies going to be epic." Esme bounced.
'Jay said the same thing. What's so exciting about this?' Nya frowns more.
"But, Jay's my boyfriend." Nya frowned.
At that Esme froze and turned about and "Nya do you think…?" Esme then started laughing.
"Esme!" Nya glared.
"I'm sorry it's just, it's kind of ridiculous. Jay and me, that would be so weird!" Esme kept laughing.
Nay blinked at this and said "It would?"
"Nya, Jay and I are buddies. I mean when you see us around each other what are we usually talking about?" Esme smirks.
"Video games, comics, movies…" At that Nya realized it.
"Oh, oh wait you mean you guys are just, wow. I guess I really should have realized it." Nya thought on this.
"Yeah Nya, Jay's nice and all but when I talk to him I feel like I'm talking to a brother. I mean this is stuff I talk with my actual brothers so talking to him about this stuff kind of makes me feel sort of like I'm talking with them." Esme looks nostalgic.
"I had no idea. I'm sorry. I guess I just got jealous." Nya looks down sad.
"It's okay. I mean he asked another girl to the movies, of course it seems weird to you. Look I can tell him that I don't want to go out of respect for you….." Esme starts.
"No, I can't let you do that. You love star fare." Nya looks on shocked.
"Yeah but you're my friend and we need to live peacefully." Esme sighs.
"Look I'm not upset I promise. Go, have fun at the movies." Nya smiles.
"You sure?" Esme crossed her arms.
"I'm sure." Nya nods.
Esme hugs her and says "Thanks so much. I'll make it up to you some way." Esme smiles.
"Oh no you don't have to." Nya states.
"Oh, come on there has to be something…Oh I know I'll tell you stuff about Jay to help you with him." Esme smirks.
"What, no you can…Would you?" Nya looks curios.
"Of course. Sometimes having things in common and doing stuff together helps. Oh and by the way, but I think you already know this, but technology and inventing is his true passion and you have that down. Whenever he tries to talk to me on it, it flies over my head. So, trust me you don't have to worry on anything." Esme smiles.
Nya flushes and thinks on it saying "You think so?"
"Of course, sometimes when he rants on that stuff he can't help but complement you and how smart you are." Esme chuckles.
Nya looked shocked "He does?"
Esme nodded and Nya smiled, glad that in Jay's eyes she was the one for him.
Later…..
Jay and Esme were heading off to the movies. The others were still uncertain about this, but when Kai asked about this to Nya he was surprised to see how well she took it.
He asked about that too and Nya explained what Esme told her. Let's just say Kai had a bit more respect for his two friends.
Meanwhile on the deck….
Cole and Zane where sparring. The two feeling the need to get some energy out. As they did Cole threw a punch that Zane dodged, and Zane said "I sense you are annoyed about something."
Zane kicks at Cole but slaps it away and says "It's nothing Frosty, just leave it."
Cole tries to elbow Zane, but Zane grabs it and then throws Cole to the ground. "Whatever is bothering you is causing you to have a lack of concentration. I am willing to help in this matter if you let me." Zane puts his hand out for Cole.
Cole sighs and takes it as they two go sit at the steps and he says "I guess I'm still upset on the idea of Jay taking Esme out." Cole frowns.
"They are only going as friends. I do not see the need for you to still feel upset on the matter, Jay would not betray Nya." Zane says with a raised brow.
"That's not what's bothering me. Yeah I would be mad if Jay did hurt Nya, she's is our friend, but really I just….I don't know, I guess I just thought since he had Nya he leave Esme alone for one of us to try and take a shot at." Cole sighs.
"A shot…? Oh, you mean you wish to try and date her. But Cole, did I not warn you that with our statues as her protectors and us all being a team…." Zane reminds.
"Yeah Zane I remember. But come one! We're all guys and Esme is the only other girl on the boat. And well there's not a lot of room to not see each other. I mean people get close Zane." Cole shrugs.
"Have you become close to Esme." Zane looks curios but something in his chest seems to pring 'What is that feeling?'
"Well she's pretty when you really look at her. She may not put on much makeup and stuff, but I think that's why I kind of like her. She's natural. Then when we hang out, she's really easy to talk to. We talk about the music we like, and even dance around to it and she seems curios about some of the dances I talk about. She even likes musicals. I mean I barely get to watch those with anyone since the rest of you guys don't seem to get them." Cole smiles at the time he's spent with Esme.
"I just feel the urge to sing spontaneously in public making no sense." Zane frowns.
"It's fiction Zane, it doesn't have to make sense." Cole sighs.
"So, what are you going to do now?" Zane somewhat fidgets.
"Well I don't know really, I could tell her but….I don't know if she likes me." Cole frowns.
"How can you not tell if she spends all that time with you?" Zane raises a brow.
"Because she spends the same amount of time with all of us. I mean haven't you noticed?" Cole raises a brow.
Zane became curios and took that in, ever since they became comfortable around each other Esme had in a way became part of the team that was quite similar to the rest of the group. She would play video games with them, Jay being her main competitor.
At Sparring Kai and Esme always seemed to joke and somewhat rough house around. As if trying to one up each other was an ultimate test.
With Cole it was mostly debating on musicals and which were better.
And with Zane, well he found himself talking a lot with Esme actually. One of the things they talked most of was nature. It seemed Esme had an affinity for it. And hearing each other say anything new about it wrapped their interest.
Sometimes they would discuss literary works they had read about. It seemed they both had an insightfully nature at times to these stories. But what surprised Zane most was that Esme would try to introduce him to some of the things she liked.
His brothers had done the same and he thought it was normal. But with Esme it seemed different 'Is this what Cole is referring to?'
Then "Hey guys we're heading out to the movies." Esme called as they came out.
"We hope you two have an exciting time." Zane smiles and nods.
"Yeah great, don't be late." Cole waved.
"Hey if you guys want to come, I have some extra money for some tickets." Esme smiled.
She still felt weird about Nya getting jealous, so thought bringing others along would help ease her mind.
Cole stiffened 'She inviting us? On one hand I hate the movie, on the other….'
"We would be delighted to join." Zane smiles and comes over.
"Ugh we would?" Cole said confused.
"I am not usually much for science fiction, but I heard that star fare uses plots from originals works from the golden ages." Zane looks curios.
"Yeah like temples and the golden weapons! I didn't get it at first till I was browsing and connected the dots, it was so obvious!" Esme got excited.
Jay then came out and said "Hey Esme ready to go."
"Wait up Jay we have two more coming." Esme smiled.
Jay looked confused and Zane said "If you do not mind waiting a moment."
"No go ahead." Jay nods and Zane and Cole head in.
As they left Jay said "Um why did you invite them along?"
"Well one, it be fun to have more people, and two it's sort of for you and Nya." Esme smirks.
"Oh, right Nya didn't take it well." Jay frowned.
"This way she won't be all that upset." Esme smiles.
"Thanks a bunch Esme." Jay hugs her and she chuckles.
"Jay off!" She shoves him off laughing.
"Sorry." Jay chuckles.
Unknown to all of them that they had all been watched during the day's events….
Garmadon paced about, waiting for Sly to get back "What's taking that fox so long?"
"I am sorry if I am late master." Sly came in from the shadows.
"Good you're back. What have you found out?"
Sly smirked and told him all he's seen today.
Garmadon rubbed his chin as he took that in "Being her protectors they would grow close to her, but in a romantic way? It would make sense with her being a girl. I could use this against them but with my fool of a brother returning with new tea he could just fix my wish. No, I'll save that plan for another time. For now, I'll just have to wait and see what I can come up with."
"Should I keep spying, maybe take some information from their hard drives." Smirked Sly.
"No, the ninja will know, and with my brother returning you won't be able to walk among the shadows as easily. I suggest we wait till tomorrow, I have an idea for a wish and if it goes well I'll need your help." Garmadon rubbed the mega weapon.
"As you wish master." Sly nodded and hid into the rafters.
"Finally, some competent help." Garmadon smirked as he then heard "You idiot what are you doing! That's not where that goes." Skales shouts at some snakes and a fight breaks out.
Garmadon shakes his head and sighs at this.
At the movies….
Jay, Esme, and Zane where all having a pretty good time at the movies. Jay loved geeking out on the surprises and call backs in the movie along with Esme, and Zane actually found the special affects and similarities to old legends very interesting "I am surprised they even included the legend of the green ninja in this."
"Yeah but of course they use a guy in the story. We need more girl heroes." Esme nodded.
"It would make the story a lot more realistic." Zane nodded.
"Oh man Nya would love that." Jay jumped in his seat.
Cole just sat there numb. 'This is so boring, ninja in space, yeah right.' Cole basically did anything to get out of the room when he could, bathroom, snack run. Anything.
During one part of the movie a droid got dismantled and Zane become paler than usual. Esme for some reason turned to him at this and noticed his sick feeling. She felt bad for him and wasn't sure why, but she held his hand hoping to comfort him.
Zane jumped at the touch but as he looked at her she said "Sorry, you looked scared and I…You know we never let that happen to you right?" Esme looks on worried.
Zane couldn't help but smile at her concern and said "I know, but thank you for you words."
Esme smiled back and took her hand back, a little uncomfortable doing that as she wasn't used to initiating much physical contact with the guys yet.
As she did Zane couldn't help but feel flushed and looked at his hand 'That strange feeling is back? Am I growing feeling for her.' Zane couldn't help but star for a while at the green ninja before going back to the movie.
Once the movie ended and the came out of the theater room Esme was geeking out with Jay and Zane said "The references are quite funny, and the idea of light weapons is exciting." Zane nods at their excitement.
The two gasp at this and Esme said "Jay did you hear that?
"I know he liked it!" Jay jumped.
"We've converted another!" Esme laughed like a mad woman and the two hi fived.
Zane was confused but realized it was a joke after putting the words together and using his funny switch a bit, he had to chuckle "I am glad you are on the side of good Esme, you would be quite dangerous as an enemy." At that Jay and Esme looked shocked at first, then laughed.
"Oh man Zane I love your jokes, never lose that sense of humor." Esme calmed down.
At that Zane felt his face flushed 'She understood what I meant, and she finds my sense of humor enjoyable.' Something in his chest spiked at that.
Then Cole came out looking like he was going to drop.
"Oh no, guess it wasn't your thing was it." Esme looked worried.
"Sorry but really I can't stand it, ninja in space? It's so stupid!" Cole raised his arms up.
At that several fans turned and glared at him.
"Oh boy." Jay gulped.
"Run!" Esme yells.
Jay and Esme grab a hold of their friends and rush them out to the sonic racer.
As this happened Zane couldn't help but feel all the heat go to his face as he realized Esme was holding his hand again.
When they got back Kai was laughing his head off about what Cole caused them to go through, Nya was surprised that they had brought the other two along but felt better at the idea of it not just being Jay and Esme.
Cole was completely embarrassed by the whole thing and Jay complained about them now being public enemies of the star fare community while Esme tried to calm him down. Meanwhile Zane was contemplating on his feelings.
'Can I truly just stay her friend, or am I feeling more for her?' Zane looked at his hand a bit uncertain. What was he to do?